Huawei & Telus: Is our Data & DNA at Risk at their 5G “Living Lab”?

“5G, microcells, the internet of things, and the “smart” revolution might make telecoms and industry a lot of dollars, but for the rest of us, they just don’t make sense.”

SALT SPRING, February 17 2018

Citizens for Safe Technology

Vancouverites may very well be guinea pigs in the experiment of the century. Instead of offering secure, safe, and healthy fiber optics direct to the premises, Telus and Chinese tech giant Huawei have created a “living lab” in Vancouver where they are testing their planned rollout of 5G. Telus is already using 4G microcells manufactured by Huawei across BC to gather and transmit our data.

This week, six top US security chiefs, including directors of the CIA, FBI, and the NSA, warned that Huawei has shared sensitive information with China, and that Chinese security agencies can access private US business communications using Huawei’s equipment. All six said they do not recommend private citizens use products made by Huawei.

Even if these statements are rooted in trade protectionism as Huawei claims, the number of unanswered questions accompanying this pending 5G-rollout make it clear our government should be taking a precautionary approach. The one we committed to when we signed onto the Wingspread Precautionary Principle in 1998.

Once the “smart” home revolution is in full swing, a whole lot of very private information will be gathered and transmitted by the Huawei microcells Telus has been busily installing – without our consent or often knowledge - right by our homes across the nation.

The sad – or perhaps sadder – part? Even though 5G will never be as fast or as safe as a direct fiber-to-the-premise wired connection, ISED Canada is allowing these microcells to be installed without any public input, and our government is erroneously telling us we need them to “cross the digital divide.”

True 21st century smart city applications like creating sustainable transportation, energy, and water systems, accessing education, and upgrading our emergency and public health care services are much better served by community-owned fiber optic networks. This groundbreaking February 2018 report: Re-Inventing Wires: The Future of Landlines and Networks explains why.